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The Little Governor 
in Tableland 












CHRISTMAS STOCKING SERIES 

) 


THE 

LITTLE GOVERNOR 

IN TABLELAND 


By 

JoHn Howard Jewett 

Author of** The Bunny Stories,” etc. 

With five illustrations in color 

BY ETHEl^ N. FARNSWOR.TH 

And many illustrations in black and white 


NEW YORK 

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 


PUBLISHERS 






6 '= 


LI:StlARY of CONGRESS 
I wo Cooles Received 

Sl? 30 »90r 

-p Copyright Entry 

JulL 

CLAsi^' ) 0 (c./N 0 . 
COPY D. ' 


Copyright, 1907, By 
Frederick A. Stokes Company 


Augusty igoy 


The Little Governor 
in Tableland 


t' 




The Little Governor 
in Tableland 


CHAPTER I 

I N THAT far-off coun- 
try called Sunrise-land, 
where kind wishes often 
changed into good deeds, 
and little birds sang many 
glad songs which even child- 
ren could understand, there 
was a great surging ocean. 

One of the most charm- 
ing places on the shores of 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

this great ocean was a beau- 
tiful bay, with its broad, 
shining beach of white sand, 
where swelling rollers of 
white-crested surf dashed in 
and out, all day and all 
night long, like unwearied 
children of the sea at play. 

The bay was sheltered 
on one side by lofty cliffs, 
which for years had sternly 
breasted the waves and the 
tides, through storm and 
calm, while still looking 
peacefully down upon the 
beach for miles around. 


4 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


On the top of these cliffs 
was an old stone tower, 
and near the tower was a 
dense grove of tall pines. 
On the south side of the 
grove, where the sun came 
earliest in the morning and 
lingered latest in the after- 
noon, there was a plain, 
but comfortable dwelling, 
built of well-hewn logs, 
where an old man lived 
alone. 

By those who knew him 
best, he was called their 
Kindly Hermit. One rea- 
5 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


son for the last name was 
that he rarely came down 
from the heights, and those 
who wished to make his 
acquaintance must climb 
the long, winding, rocky 
path that led to his home 
on the cliffs. 

The name. Kindly was 
added to his other real 
name because, however 
stern he might sometimes 
seem to be, he was always 
true and kind to all who 
sought his aid. 

One of his duties was to 
6 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


keep a great pile of pine- 
knots in the tower, and 
in stormy weather he never 
forgot to kindle a beacon- 
light with these knots, on 
the top of the tower, to 
warn and guide the fish- 
ermen and sailors on their 
dangerous voyages along 
the coast. 

Somewhere in the grove, 
a very strange, shy bird had 
made a home, which was so 
carefully hidden from sight 
that no one had ever been 
able to find it. 

7 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Nearly every one in this 
part of Sunrise-land had 
been told of the bird, and 
many persons, both old and 
young, whenever they had 
been brave, or kind, or 
generous, had heard him 
singing so cheerily and 
plainly that they could un- 
derstand every word of the 
bird’s song. 

Another peculiar habit 
ot the bird was that he 
seemed never to rest, but to 
be ever waiting there and 
watching for an opportun- 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

ity to sing his songs of hope 
and cheer, and to carry 
glad tidings to those who 
had tried, in thought and 
deed, to be helpful to the 
world. 

For these reasons the 
strange singer was called 
the Blithebird by all who 
had ever heard his cheery 
songs, and by many others 
who only believed there 
was such a bird, and longed 
for the time to come when 
they might hear his voice. 

A few selfish people 


9 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


sometimes listened, and be- 
cause they did not hear the 
Blithebird singing to them, 
they scornfully said the bird 
and his songs were myths, 
and went on their way 
thinking only of themselves 
and their own comfort and 
pleasure. 

Blithebird and the Kindly 
Hermit were good friends 
and often talked with each 
other when alone in the 
grove, and they enjoyed 
planning together new 
ways to teach old truths 


10 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


to help every one, young 
or old, in living wiser and 
happier lives. 

The Kindly Hermit was 
both wise and gentle, and 
because he loved children 
he used a part of his dwell- 
ing for a school-room, 
where he taught all who 
were able and willing to 
come to him. 

Among these pupils were 
two children who lived in 
the large Manor-house, 
built in a pleasant park a 
short distance back from 


II 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the shore. Their names 
were Fortunate, a tall, 
handsome boy, and Genti- 
lita, his charming, fair- 
haired sister, and they were 
the only children of the 
Governor of the Province, 
who ruled all the country 
for miles around the shores 
of the beautiful bay. 

Along the beach, near 
the cliffs, were scattered 
many small, untidy cot- 
tages, where fishermen and 
their families lived. 

Very few of their chil- 


12 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


dren were ever sent to the 
Hermit’s school, because 
their parents thought that 
when the children were 
old and strong enough to 
climb the rocky cliff path 
alone, they were able to 
work and help to earn their 
own living. 

The Kindly Hermit of- 
ten talked with these poor 
people, when they came to 
sell him supplies of food 
and clothing, urging them 
to do their best to spare 
the children from growing 


13 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


up in ignorance, and freely 
offered to teach all their 
boys and girls who would 
come to his school. 

The fishermen usually 
shook their heads and said 
they could not spare them 
from their tasks, and so the 
poor children spent their 
days 'digging clams on the 
beach when the tide was 
out, picking berries in their 
season, or busy with other 
duties at home, when they 
should have been at school 
or at play. 


14 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


One day a fisherman 
came down from a visit to 
the cliffs and told his wife 
of the Kindly Hermit’s 
offer to teach their chil- 
dren, who were old enough 
to go to the cliff school. 

The good mother fav- 
ored the plan, but the 
father said he needed the 
children’s help more than 
they needed an educa- 
tion. 

Earnest, their eldest boy, 
and Hopeful his sister, who 
was a year or two younger. 


15 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


were present and heard this 
conversation, and though 
they often spoke of going 
to school, they kept bravely 
on with their daily tasks, 
helping their hard-working 
father and patient mother, 
and hoping for better days 
to come. 

Early one morning in 
mid-summer, while Ear- 
nest, the fisherman’s son, 
was digging clams far out 
on the beach, he saw For- 
tunate and Gentilita of the 
Manor-house riding their 

i6 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


ponies on the smooth, hard 
sand of the shore. 

They were attended by 
a groom, who rode by the 
side of Gentilita, while 
Fortunato galloped on in 
advance, dashing over the 
wet sand to the water’s 
edge, and trying to force 
his spirited black pony 
into the light rolling 
surf. 

Earnest paused from his 
work to watch the ponies 
and their riders, and wished 
Hopeful could see the 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


pretty picture they made 
in the morning sunlight. 

As the riding party drew 
nearer he saw the groom 
beckon to Fortunato to 
come back and join his 
sister, who had turned her 
pony about and was riding 
slowly toward the cliffs. 
Fortunato only tossed his 
head and spurred his pony 
in the opposite direction. 

There was a dangerous 
place on the beach, nearly 
in front of the spot where 
Earnest was at work, for a 

i8 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


creek, which flowed from 
the meadow, hid a treach- 
erous quicksand, as it 
crossed the beach to the 
bay. 

The creek spread out 
and made a broad, but 
shallow stream over the 
sand, which seemed easy 
and safe to ford. Earnest, 
however, knew how de- 
ceptive the shallow stream 
was at this point, and ran 
to warn Fortunato of his 
danger. Fortunato turned 
in his saddle and thanked 


19 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Earnest, but added some- 
what haughtily, “I know 
this beach as well as you 
do, young clam-digger!” 
and rode recklessly forward. 

Earnest’s sea-tanned face 
flushed a deeper hue at this 
taunting reply, but he 
called again and begged 
the rider to stop before it 
should be too late. 

Without paying the 
slightest heed to the warn- 
ing, Fortunato spurred his 
pony into the creek, proudly 
waving his hand to his sis- 


20 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


ter and the groom. Before 
the pony had reached the 
middle of the stream he be- 
gan to sink into the yield- 
ing sand, and after a few 
desperate plunges he was 
held fast and helpless in the 
quicksands. 

Springing from the 
saddle, Fortunato tried to 
get a footing, but soon 
sank to his waist and only 
saved himself by clinging 
to the pony, whose stout 
body kept both from sink- 
ing any deeper, for a time. 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


The groom came gallop- 
ing to the rescue, but found 
that he could not safely 
venture to their aid, while 
Gentilita cried piteously 
and called out loudly for 
help. 

Earnest ran with all his 
speed inshore, where his 
father’s flat-bottomed skiff 
was moored above the tide- 
line. Hastily pushing the 
boat into the stream, and 
holding the rope in his 
hand, he ran along the edge 
of the shore while the boat 


22 



SAVED HIMSELF BY CLINGING TO THE 
PONY. — Page 21 , 




THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

floated over the shallows 
toward the place where 
Fortunato and his pony lay 
helpless. 

Giving the end of the 
rope to the groom, Earnest 
made a few quick bounds 
to reach the boat and then, 
with the aid of the paddle, 
soon brought it alongside 
the half buried prisoners in 
the quicksands. 

While the groom held 
on to the rope Earnest 
succeeded in pulling For- 
tunato into the boat and in 


23 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


a few minutes both were 
landed in safety on the 
hard beach. 

By this time their cries 
for help had been heard by 
the fishermen, who came 
with planks and ropes and 
after much hard labor the 
pony was also rescued. 

Both Gentilita and For- 
tunato thanked Earnest 
very heartily for his timely 
and intelligent assistance, 
and the groom wrote Ear- 
nest’s name on a card and 
said his brave conduct 


24 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


should be reported to the 
Governor. 

As they rode away Gen- 
tilita smiled kindly and 
waved her hand to Earnest, 
who returned to his task 
with a strange feeling of 
gladness in his heart, and 
wondering to himself 
whether he should ever 
earn another smile from 
the 1 ovely little lady, or 
hear her sweet voice again. 

These pleasant thoughts 
kept Earnest company 
through the day and made 
25 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


his work seem easier, but 
he could not quite forget 
the taunting words, “Young 
clam-digger!” which For- 
tunate had used before the 
accident. 

Earnest tried to reason 
about the matter by saying 
to himself, “The words 
were true; why should I be 
ashamed of my father’s and 
my own lot in life? If I 
do well the only work a 
poor fisher-boy can find 
to do to help his father, 

why should I feel hurt 
26 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


when I am called a ‘ Clam- 
digger?’” 

Then he began to feel 
that it was not the words, 
so much as the manner in 
which they were spoken, 
which made them rankle in 
his mind, and he tried his 
best to drive away these 
unpleasant thoughts by re- 
membering how graciously 
both Gentilita and Fortu- 
nato had treated him after 
the rescue. 

When the day’s work 

was done Earnest and his 
27 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


sister went out for a stroll 
on the beach. They knew 
of a place under the cliffs 
where there was a clean, 
dry cave in the rocks, with 
a low stone shelf that made 
a comfortable and sheltered 
seat, facing toward the bay. 

This cave they called 
their “snuggery,” and they 
often came there about 
sunset to rest and talk to- 
gether. 

In mild weather it was 
soothing and restful to 

hear the regular and con- 
28 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


stant rhythm of the ebbing 
or flowing tide, and they 
loved to sit still and look 
out over the peaceful bay 
to the great hazy ocean be- 
yond, which seemed to 
stretch on and on until it 
met the horizon. 

On this evening, when 
they were together in the 
snuggery. Earnest told his 
sister of the thoughts which 
had troubled him during 
the day, and he seemed sad, 
and almost discouraged, as 
he said to her, “I wonder 


29 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

whether I must always be 
only a clam-digger or a 
fisherman?” 

Hopeful comforted him 
by saying, «You did some- 
thing better than digging 
clams to-day, and I am 
proud of you, because you 
knew just what to do to 
help Fortunato out of his 
danger, and were brave 
enough to do it.” 

Earnest drew close to his 
sister as he softly replied, 
“I hear the Blithebird sing- 
ing of the sea; let us keep 


30 



THEY LOVED TO SIT STILL AND LOOK OUT 
OVER THE PEACEFUL BAY. Page 2g. 




THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


still and listen”; and as the 
evening shadows fell around 
the lonely cave, they heard 
the Blithebird singing in 
the grove on the cliffs a 
brave song of the sea, and 
with cheerful hearts they 
left the snuggery and 
walked homeward in the 
early twilight, hand in hand, 
while the stars, one by one, 
came out and twinkled at 
their own bright faces re- 
flected in every wave and 
ripple on the beautiful bay 
under the cliffs. 


31 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


A little later, while the 
moon was rising over the 
waters and painting a shin- 
ing pathway across the sea 
to the cliffs, Gentilita sat 
at her open window in the 
manor-house, thinking 
grateful thoughts of her 
brother’s rescue, and won- 
dering how she could re- 
pay the fisher-boy for his 
generous service to Fortu- 
nato. 

The low murmur of the 
sea seemed to Gentilita like 
a mother’s lullaby, and as 


32 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


she listened, half-dreaming, 
she was startled to hear the 
notes of a joyful, birdlike 
song, and rousing herself 
she heard in wondering 
silence the Blithebird sing- 
ing this: 

A restless, wandering wave 
This gracious message gave: 
‘‘Go sing of a smile and say, 

The tender, thoughtful grace 
Of a gentle, smiling face 
Has gladdened a heart to-day.” 

“A toiler on the sands, 

With weary, task-worn hands, 
Toiled on, and sadly dreamed. 

His heart forgot its pain, 

For where a cloud had lain, 

A smile like sunshine gleamed.” 

33 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


“The fleeting day is dead; 
The rippling wave has fled; 
Yet happy thoughts beguile 
The toiler's heart from care; 
A treasure lingers there; — 
The memory of a smile!" 


34 


The Giant and the 
Dragon 




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THE GIANT AND THE DRAGON 


II 

T he next morning 
after the aceident on 
the beach, when the ponies 
were brought to the door, 
Fortunato said to his sister, 
“Let us ride to the beach 
and find the plucky boy 
who helped me out of the 
quicksands yesterday. I 
owe him an apology.” 

“Why an apology?”asked 
Gentilita; “did you not 
37 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


thank him for his assist- 
ance?” 

“Certainly I did,” replied 
Fortunate; “but I treated 
him rudely and called him 
a clam-digger when he 
kindly warned me of the 
danger, and the thought 
has troubled me ever since.” 

“That explains the part 
I did not understand of the 
Blithebird’s song last even- 
ing,” said Gentilita. Then 
she repeated to Fortunato 
the wave’s message, which 
the Blithebird had brought, 
38 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


and she said gently: “I am 
sorry you gave the brave 
boy pain, but perhaps we 
can help him to forget the 
careless words, and father 
will reward him for his ser- 
vice to you.” 

“I am going to do my 
own part, and try to make 
amends myself, by begging 
the boy’s pardon and treat- 
ing him like a gentleman, 
if we can find him this 
morning,” said Fortunato, 
and when the groom had 
joined them they rode 
39 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


away to the shore, looking 
eagerly for the place where 
they had last seen Earnest 
at his work. 

Neither Fortunato nor 
his sister knew that the 
Governor had already 
visited the fisherman and 
his son to thank them, 
and had offered Earnest 
a purse of money; or that 
the boy had modestly, 
but firmly declined it, 
saying that he did not wish 
to be paid for doing what 
he would be only too glad 


40 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


to do for any one in 
trouble. 

The fisherman and his 
good wife had looked long- 
ingly at the well-filled 
purse, but said nothing, and 
the Governor repeated his 
thanks as he bade them 
good-by, saying he would 
try to repay the kindness in 
some other way. 

This had all taken place 
while Fortunato and Gen- 
tilita were at the Hermit’s 
school, after the accident, 
and they had not been told 


41 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


of it, because the Governor 
wished to see whether For- 
tunato would remember 
the obligation and speak of 
the matter himself. 

When the riding party 
saw Earnest at his work 
on the beach, they rode 
directly to the place and 
said “good-morning” in a 
friendly manner. Fortu- 
nate at once dismounted 
and, offering his hand to 
Earnest, said, “I wish to 
beg your pardon for my 
rudeness to you yesterday 
42 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


morning, and to ask you 
to let me be your friend.” 

Earnest looked at For- 
tunato’s handsome face and 
gave the white outstretched 
hand a hearty grasp in his 
own brown, toil-stained 
hand, as he replied, “It is 
all right, and you are very 
kind. I hope you were 
not hurt by the mishap 
yesterday.” 

Then Gentilita rode for- 
ward and began to speak 
pleasantly with Earnest of 
the beach and the beauti- 


43 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


ful shells that were scattered 
about on the sands. 

Gentilita’s manner was 
so cordial and she seemed 
so much interested in the 
common things of the 
shore, that Earnest forgot 
to blush when he answered 
her questions, and then told 
her many curious facts she 
never found in books, of 
the queer names and habits 
of the strange little crea- 
tures that live in the sea. 

While they were talking. 
Hopeful came down from 


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THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the cottage, to bring a 
message to Earnest, and in 
a few minutes the four 
children were chatting to- 
gether in a merry, artless 
spirit, just as if they had 
forgotten the difference be- 
tween a manor-house and 
a fisherman’s cottage, and 
were all the happy children 
of the sea, having a good 
time at home on the great 
shining shore. 

The groom, who had 
waited patiently near the 
group, at last reminded 


45 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Fortunato and Gentilita 
that it was time they were 
on the way to their lessons, 
and, bidding their new 
friends good-morning, they 
rode away to climb the 
winding path which led to 
the Hermit’s school on the 
cliffs. 

Hopeful returned to the 
cottage to help her mother, 
and Earnest made up for 
the lost time by digging 
clams twice as rapidly as 
usual, while his thoughts 

busy making brave 
46 


were 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


plans to have Hopeful go 
to the same school and 
learn to be like the gracious 
and charming Gentilita. 

From the top of the old 
stone tower on the clilFs 
the Kindly Hermit had 
watched the little group 
on the beach, and his face 
wore an unusually happy 
smile as he met his pupils 
at the school-room door. 
After the morning lessons 
were over, Fortunato and 
Gentilita talked with their 
teacher of the new friends 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


they had found on the 
beach, and Gentilita told 
how much Earnest knew 
about the beautiful shells, 
and the strange habits of 
the little creatures that 
lived in them. 

The Kindly Hermit lis- 
tened, seeming to be both 
interested and pleased, and 
remarked that there were 
many wonderful lessons to 
be learned, which were not 
taught in the school-room. 
He was glad they were be- 
ginning in this way to study 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the great book of Nature. 
Fortunato said it was a 
pity such bright and inter- 
esting children as Earnest 
and Hopeful were not sent 
to school. 

The Kindly Hermit re- 
minded him that the way 
to the cliffs was long and 
hard to climb, and that the 
fisherman’s children had no 
sure-footed ponies to ride, 
or watchful grooms to at- 
tend them. Then, to 
change the subject, he in- 
vited Fortunato and Gen- 


49 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


tilita to go with him to the 
stone tower. When they 
were comfortably seated on 
the top of the tower they 
had a pleasant time looking 
down from those serene 
heights upon the wonderful 
scene below, where the 
moving figures on the shore 
looked like mere pigmies 
in the distance, and the 
slowly disappearing sails, far 
out on the ocean, seemed 
to be as motionless as the 
clilFs themselves. 

Presently the children 
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THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


asked for a story, and the 
Kindly Hermit smiled as if 
he expected the request, for 
this quiet retreat in the old 
tower was a favorite place 
for the story-telling hour 
when they were together. 

He obligingly said he 
would tell them a short 
legend of 

THE GIANT AND THE DRAGON 

“Centuries ago, when 
the world was very young,” 
said the Kindly Hermit, “a 
powerful giant with his 
family lived in a beautiful, 
51 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


fertile country, where the 
fruits and grain grew and 
ripened, and the harvests 
were gathered, as if by 
magic. 

The giants were a very 
kind, affectionate, family, 
and had many friends 
among their own kindred 
and race, who lived near 
them. 

This beautiful country, 
where the giants had built 
their homes, was once a 
wilderness, infested with 
fierce dragons; but the 


52 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


giants were a strong and 
resolute race and had con- 
quered the dragons, one by 
one, and driven them away. 

An almost impassable 
mountain range separated 
the giants’ country from a 
feeble tribe of gypsies who 
camped, or wandered aim- 
lessly about, on the sterile 
plains beyond the dark 
forests on the other side. 

The gypsies knew, or 
had heard of the fertile 
fields and plentiful harvests 
of the giants’ land beyona 
53 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the forests, but the only 
beaten path over the moun- 
tain led through a narrow 
pass, which was guarded by 
one of the fierce dragons, 
that had taken refuge there 
when driven out of the 
giants’ country. Many of 
the gypsies seemed to be 
willing to live in their own 
land, as their fathers had 
before them, and for the 
most part were glad and 
satisfied when they could 
get food and shelter from 
day to day. 


54 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


A few of the more res- 
olute and ambitious of the 
tribe had forced their way 
over or around the moun- 
tain, or had outstripped the 
dragon in a bold dash 
through the pass, but as 
these rarely o r never re- 
turned to the tribe, their 
example was soon forgot- 
ten or spoken of as their 
‘good luck.’ 

The more fortunate race 
on the other side of the 
forest and mountain, knew 
also of the gypsies, and in 


55 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


a general way pitied them, 
but left them to their own 
habits and modes of life, 
the giants having pleasanter 
matters to occupy their 
time and attention. 

The giant family con- 
sisted of the Great Giant 
and Giantess, and their two 
children — the Young Giant 
and his sister. 

The Great Giant was 
very proud of his son and 
very fond of his daughter, 
both of whom he wished 
to see grow to be powerful 
S6 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


and accomplished examples 
of their race. 

For his pastime, the 
Great Giant often wrestled 
with his friends and neigh- 
bors, and because of his 
wonderful skill and great 
strength he was regarded 
as a hero by all who knew 
him. 

One day Young Giant, 
who was bold and spirited 
like his father, chanced to 
find the narrow mountain 
pass, and while the dragon 
was absent or sleeping, he 


57 


THE LITTLE GOVERKOR 


wandered down the gypsies’ 
side toward the forest in 
search of adventure. 

In a reckless mood he 
left the beaten path and 
was soon lost in the track- 
less forest, where he would 
have perished from hunger 
and exposure, but for the 
kindness of a strolling 
gypsy-boy who heard his 
cries and went to his aid. 

The gypsy-boy shared 
his last crust with the weary 
and famishing stranger, and 
led him back, by the way 
58 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

of the gypsy-camp, to the 
beaten path again. 

When Young Giant 
reached the narrow pass, 
on his homeward journey, 
the dragon recognized him 
as the son of the powerful 
Giant and permitted the 
wanderer to return to his 
home in safety. 

The Giant family were 
very grateful for his safe 
deliverance from the dan- 
gers of the forest, and lis- 
tened with great interest to 
Young Giant’s story of the 
59 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


strange and piteous sights 
he had seen in the gypsies’ 
desolate country. 

When he had finished, 
his sister asked why the 
gypsies did not leave their 
barren plains and come 
over the mountain to share 
in the giants’ peace and 
plenty. 

The Great Giant an- 
sweted that the gypsies were 
a roving, thriftless race, too 
timid to face the dragon 
that guarded the pass, but, 
as a reward for the gypsy- 


60 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


boy’s service to his son, he 
would send the tribe a gen- 
erous supply of food and 
clothing, as he had often 
done before in times of 
their distress. 

The more Young Giant 
thought about the gypsies, 
the more he wished to do 
them some lasting service, 
and talcing his sister into 
his confidence he declared 
that if he lived to be as 
strong as his father he 
would conquer or slay that 

dragon of the pass, and in- 
61 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


vite the gypsies to eome 
and live in the giants’ 
country, where there were 
room and harvests enough 
for all who would try to 
help themselves. 

To the Young Giantess 
who sympathized with her 
brother’s generous purpose, 
it seemed a needlessly long 
time to wait for him to be 
able to slay the dragon, and 
after a long talk with her 
brother she proposed an- 
other plan. 

One evening, when the 
62 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

Great Giant had returned 
from a successful wrestling- 
match, the children climbed 
upon his knee and asked 
him if he was as strong as 
the dragon of the pass. 

The Great Giant laughed 
heartily and replied that he 
had often mastered with one 
hand many fiercer dragons. 

Then the Young Giant- 
ess asked him why he did 
not use his great skill and 
strength to conquer and 
bind the dragon, and not 
keep the poor gypsies wait- 

63 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


ing until her brother should 
be old enough to attempt 
the task. 

This led to an expla- 
nation of Young Giant’s 
brave plan, and when their 
father found how earnest 
his children were in the 
matter he became very 
thoughtful. 

Now the Great Giant 
loved his children, and 
wished them to love and 
honor him, and the next 
day he called them both 
to his side and said, ‘If you 

64 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


really wish me to remove 
the dragon from the moun- 
tain pass, and let the gypsies 
come over and share our 
beautiful country, I will do 
so to-day, but I fear many 
of the gypsies will prefer 
their own roving life and 
its hardships, rather than 
to climb the mountain and 
settle here, quietly and 
peaceably.’ 

‘Let us try the plan for 
the sake of the few who 
may be willing to come,’ 
pleaded the children, — and 
65 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


taking his son by the hand 
the Great Giant went out 
to the mountain pass and 
bound the dragon, and 
sent him out of that part 
of the country to stay for- 
ever. 

The Kindly He rmi t 
stopped speaking at this 
point and turniiig his face 
toward the beach, seemed 
to be thinking ot some- 
thing else, until Fortunato, 
who had listened very 
attentively, touched his 

hand and asked earnestly, 
66 



THE GREAT GIANT WENT OUT TO THE 
MOUNTAIN PASS AND POUND THE 
DRAGON. — Page 66. 




THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


“Is that the end of the 
story?” 

The old man smiled up- 
on the eager questioner as 
he replied: “Only the be- 
ginning of the end, my boy. 
This is one of those old, 
old stories, which can have 
no end in this world, until 
all the dragons that prey 
upon the weak, the igno- 
rant, and the wayward, have 
been bound and driven out 
by the strong, in answer to 
the pleadings of gratitude 

and sympathy.” 

67 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Then turning to Gen- 
tilita, the Kindly Hermit 
said, “I hear the Blithebird 
singing in the grove, and 
he seems very happy to-day. 
Perhaps we can all hear 
what he has seen or heard 
to make him so glad, if we 
wait and listen a moment,” 
and while the little group 
waited on the tower in si- 
lence, they each heard the 
Blithebird repeating in joy- 
ful tones this song: 

Out on the beach the sunbeams play, 
Dancing and glancing over the bay, 
Merrily chasing the mists away. 

68 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Out on the beach the shining sands 
Glisten and listen in radiant bands, 
While gayly the shells are clapping 
their hands. 

Out on the beach with joyful roar 
Dashes and splashes the surf on the 
shore, 

And grim rocks smile as never before. 

Out on the beach the echoes fly 
Ringing and singing up to the sky: — 
The children hear, and cease to sigh. 

Out on the beach the voices ring:— 

“ Duty and beauty glad tidings bring 
To toilers here;” — Sing, Blithebird, 
sing! 


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Governor for a Day 






GOVERNOR FOR A DAY 

O N their way home 
from the cliffs, 
Fortunato asked his sister 
if she had thought of the 
meaning of the Kindly 
Hermit’s story. 

Gentilita replied that she 
hardly knew what to think 
of such a strange story, be- 
cause it ended so abruptly 
and left out the most inter- 
esting part of what became 
73 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


of the poor gypsies after 
the dragon had been sent 
away. 

Fortunato then said he 
was quite sure that the 
story was only a fable 
which the Kindly Hermit 
had told to show them the 
difference between their 
own lives and the lives of 
the fishermen’s children. 

“But where is the drag- 
on?” asked Gentilita. 

“That is what I have 
been wondering,” said For- 
tunato; “and I think the 


74 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

Kindly Hermit meant by 
the narrow pass, this long, 
steep path to his school on 
the cliffs, and by the drag- 
on, the misfortune which 
prevents the fishermen’s 
children from going to 
school as we do.” 

Gentilita’s face beamed 
with pride as she looked 
up to her brother and said, 
“I think you must be right 
Fortunato; and if that is 
what the Kindly Hermit 
really meant, you must be 
the Young Giant, and 


75 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Earnest the gypsy-boy.” 
Then, as if she had sud- 
denly seen a vision, her 
face brightened and she 
exclaimed, “Oh, I see all 
the meaning plainly now! 
We are the fortunate Giant 
race, the fisher-folk are the 
poor gypsies, and we must 
help them just as Young 
Giant and his sister did the 
gypsies by persuading their 
father to conquer the 
dragon.” 

All the way home they 

talked of the Hermit’s 
76 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

story and the Blithebird’s 
song, and in the evening 
they spent a very happy 
hour in planning many 
changes they would ask 
their father to make, that 
the lives of the fisher-chil- 
dren might be easier and 
happier. As the next day 
was to be Fortunato’s 
birthday, they decided to 
tell their wishes to the Gov- 
ernor in the morning. 

When Fortunato and 
Gentilita went into their 
father’s study to bid him 


77 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


good-night, the Governor 
said, “I am called away at 
an early hour in the morn- 
ing, and I am sorry that I 
cannot remain at home to 
enjoy your birthday with 
you, my son.” 

He jokingly added, 
“H ow would you like to 
play being Governor your- 
self, while I am absent 
to-morrow?” Fortunato 
replied that he would like 
to try it for one day. 

“Very well,” said his 

father; “you may consider 

78 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


yourself Governor in my 
stead for the next twenty- 
four hours after the clock 
strikes twelve to-night. 
Let us see what a wise ruler 
you will be. Good-night, 
my little Governor.” 

Gentilita made a low 
courtesy to her brother and 
then laughingly led him 
away to tell their mother 
the news. 

The good mother joined 
with them in making many 
plans to celebrate the day, 
one of which was, that the 


79 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Little Governor should 
order a general holiday 
and invite the whole vil- 
lage, young and old, to a 
banquet on the lawn in 
the afternoon. 

Fortunato went to his 
room and was soon fast 
asleep, dreaming of strange 
adventures in forests and 
quicksands, of blithebirds 
and dragons, until wakened 
by the tones of the great 
clock in the hall as it 
struck the hour of mid- 
night. 


8o 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


When he opened his 
eyes the room seemed to 
be filled with a strange 
light, and a voice from a 
dimly-outlined figure 
standing by his bedside 
said, “Good-morning, 
Little Governor Fortuna- 
to!” 

Fortunato was startled, 
but not frightened, for the 
mysterious presence spoke 
in a kindly tone and 
seemed to be friendly. 

Lifting his head from the 
pillow Fortunato asked, 

8i 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


“Who are you, and why 
are you here?” And the 
voice replied, “I am the 
world’s Magician, my name 
is ‘Humanity,’ and I come 
to offer my services to the 
Little Governor.” 

Then, without waiting 
for further questions, the 
voice continued, “I have 
listened and heard all the 
kind and generous plans 
you and your sister have 
been making for others 
since your return from the 
cliffs, and because you are 

82 





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THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


sincere and hopeful I give 
you this golden wand of 
mine, to use for the one 
day while you are Gov- 
ernor. Wave the wand 
above your head, command 
what you will for the good 
of others and it shall be 
done, even as you have 
wished. Wisdom and 
grace be with you; good- 
by, Little Governor!” 

Before Fortunato could 
reply the figure faded from 
sight and the room was 
again dark and silent. 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Dazed with the strange- 
ness and suddenness of the 
vision, Fortunato put the 
wand under his pillow and, 
while wondering whether 
he was awake, or only 
dreaming, fell asleep again 
and slept soundly until 
morning. 

At the breakfast-table, 
when the morning con- 
gratulations were over, 
Fortunato related to his 
mother and sister his mid- 
night vision, or dream, 
and when he had finished 
84 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Gentilita quietly left the 
room. 

A few minutes later she 
returned, exclaiming, “It 
was no dream, Fortunato! 
Here is the Golden Wand! 
I found it under your pil- 
low. Let us try it and see 
if all the Magician’s prom- 
ises will prove true” 

Taking the golden wand 
in his hand, Fortunato and 
his sister went out-of-doors 
and, raising the wand above 
his head, Fortunato said 
with great earnestness, “I 

85 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


wish for a school-house for 
all the children of the 
village!” 



As he uttered the words, 
they saw, to their surprise, 
a large, handsome building, 
with a cupola and bell 
above the roof, rising from 
86 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the ground, on the green 
fields just beyond the park. 
“Now wish for the Kindly 
Hermit!” eagerly cried 
Gentilita; and when For- 
tunate repeated the wish 
to the wand, they saw ap- 
proaching on the broad 
path the Kindly Hermit, 
who gave them both his 
hands and said cheerily, 
“The world’s Magician 
bade me come, and I am 
here to serve our Little 
Governor and his friends.” 

“He means the fisher- 
87 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


children !”^ said Gentilita. 
“You know we have hoped 
some time to see them all 
neatly dressed on their way 
to school. Wish for the 
children, also, Fortunato!” 

Raising the wand for the 
third time Fortunato re- 
peated this wish, and almost 
instantly they heard the 
voices of many children 
singing in the distance and, 
looking out across the park, 
they saw a long procession 
of tidy, happy ehildren, led 
by Earnest and Hopeful, 







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THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


marching gaily toward the 
new building. 

“Let me go and meet 
them,” exclaimed the 
Kindly Hermit, and hurry- 
ing away, he was soon 
welcoming the merry 
throng at the door of the 
new school-house. 

When Fortunato and 
Gentilita had partly re- 
covered from their surprise 
at these wonderful changes, 
Gentilita eagerly said, 
“Come, brother, let us ask 
mother to go with us 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


and see the children 
there.” 

“Stop a minute.” said 
Fortunate. “We have both 
forgotten one wish, — the 
fishermen’s homes. Do 
you not remember that we 
planned last evening to 
change their dingy cottages 
into cozy homes, with flow- 
ers in the windows, and 
pretty door-yards?” 

“Oh, yes!” replied Gen- 
tilita; and once more rais- 
ing the wand, Fortunato 
uttered the wish, just as the 


90 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


groom came to the porch 
with their ponies for the 
morning ride. 

The children hastened 
to tell their mother the 
good news, and ordering 
her carriage they all set out 
for the shore, to see for 
themselves whether their 
last wish had also been 
granted. 

As they rode along the 
beach they could scarcely 
believe it to be the same 
place they had known be- 
fore, for instead of the old 

91 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


dreary and uninviting vil- 
lage, there were the clean 
streets and tidy homes they 
had wished to see, with the 
hopeful faces of men and 
women, waiting to greet 
them, who smiled and 
bowed and cried out, 
“Long live our Little Gov- 

I ” 

ernor! 

Every one seemed to 
know that Fortunato was 
their new Governor for 
the day, and to think they 
owed all their new com- 
forts and blessings to him, 


92 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


and this made Fortunato 
feel that it was not right 
for him to take all the 
praise for himself. 

Before the party reached 
the school-house, Fortu- 
nato had resolved to ex- 
plain to the children, as 
well as he could, how the 
changes had happened, and 
how little he had really 
done to bring them about. 

As Fortunato, with his 
mother and sister, entered 
the school-room, all the 
children rose from their 
93 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


seats and gave three cheers 
for the “Little Governor,” 
who bowed, and blushingly 
smiled his thanks for their 
welcome. 

When the excitement 
was over Fortunato spoke 
with the Kindly Hermit 
for a moment; then, call- 
ing Earnest to his side, he 
said to the children, “I 
cannot let you give all 
your thanks to me, for they 
belong to others, as well, 
and first of all to Earnest, 
here, who won my heart 


94 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 

by his kindness and cour- 
age, which was the real be- 
ginning of my part in all 
this good fortune.” 

Then Fortunato told the 
children the whole story of 
the accident on the beach, 
and what had followed the 
next day, of the Kindly 
Hermit’s story and the 
Blithebird’s song, of his 
sister’s sympathy and help 
in making the plans, and 
last of all of the wonderful 
Magician — the angel of 
Humanity — whose myste- 


95 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


rious presence had wrought 
these great changes, by 
turning kind wishes into 
real blessings for all. 

When Fortunato had 
finished his story, the Kind- 
ly Hermit told the chil- 
dren that their first lesson 
was enough for one day, 
and dismissed the school, 
after giving them all an in- 
vitation to come to the 
party in the manor-house 
park, with their parents 
and friends in the after- 
noon. 


96 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


That day was the hap- 
piest day ever known in 
Sunrise -land, and when 
night came all returned to 
their homes, feeling that a 
new life had begun for 
them, and that each must 
do something, and be 
something worthy of such 
blessings. 

Fortunato’s father re- 
turned in the evening, and 
was told of all the surpris- 
ing changes which had 
taken place during his ab- 
sence. After listening to 


97 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


the Little Governor’s ex- 
planations, he said, “I am 
proud of you, my children, 
and rejoice with you, but 
I must tell you something 
you do not know. 

“This wonderful magi- 
cian, the angel of Hu- 
manity, has been your 
mother’s guest in this house 
for many years, and she has 
often urged these same 
plans upon me, but I have 
delayed until I should have 
more leisure to attend to 
them myself. 


98 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


“You were three against 
my one, last night, and the 
Magician obeyed the will 
of the majority and granted 
your wishes. The Little 
Governor has learned our 
lesson for us all, and I am 
thankful to be a member 
of this, family.” 

Then the Governor 
asked to see the Golden 
Wand, and when he had 
examined it carefully he 
said, “Let us treasure the 
wand as an heirloom in 
our family, and invite the 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


Kindly Hermit, who has 
been your mother’s friend 
and your teacher, to come 
and live with us here, to 
be a partner with us in 
continuing the gcod work 
for others which you and 
the World’s Magician have 
so well begun to-day.” 

They were a very happy 
family when they said 
“good-night,” and the 
Little Governor slept with 
the Golden Wand under 
his pillow and dreamed of 
making speeches to a 


100 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


great room-full of children, 
whose smiling faces looked 
up into his, and nodded 
approval, like a field of 
fresh white daisies in the 
summer sunshine. 

Early the next morning, 
when F ortunato and Gentil- 
ita went out to see if all the 
changes remained the same 
as on the day before, they 
found the Kindly Hermit 
standing alone by the park 
gate, with uncovered head, 
looking toward the cliff 
as if in deep thought. 

lOI 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


As the children drew 
near to join him, a sooth- 
ing murmur of the gentle 
breezes in the pine-tops 
came from the grove above, 
and listening, they, too, 
heard the Blithebird sing- 
ing to the Kindly Hermit. 

Hearing their footsteps 
the Kindly Hermit turned 
to greet his young friends, 
his face beaming with a 
welcoming smile of peace 
and good-will, as he said, 
“I have been watching 
the glorious dawnj let us 


102 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


enjoy the sunrise together, 
my children!” 

Gentilita and Fortunato 
joined hands with the 
Kindly Hermit, and when 
the first rays of the sun 
touched the top of the old 
stone tower on the cliffs, 
they looked into each 
other’s faces, and in happy 
silence they listened and 
heard the Blithebird singing 
joyfully in the grove, and 
they knew that the echoes 
would be heard by all the 
children in Fableland. 


THE LITTLE GOVERNOR 


A SONG OF THE DAWN 
In gladness wakes the morning! 

New melodies arise! 

The golden light is dawning 
To gild anew the skies, 

I hear the children singing 
A blithesome, grateful lay; 

The heavens with echoes ringing, 
To greet the new-born day. 

Sing, Blithebird! — tell the story; 

The dreary night departs; 
Love’s sunlight dawns in glory 
On waiting human hearts. 

And they who bring rejoicing. 
With gracious deeds of love. 
Shall hear the Blithebird voicing 
The harmonies above. 

THE END 


104 


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